Study Desk

Bil`am said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I didn't know that you stood in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease you, I will get me back again.

The angel of the LORD said to Bil`am, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak. So Bil`am went with the princes of Balak.

When Balak heard that Bil`am was come, he went out to meet him to the City of Mo'av, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.

Balak said to Bil`am, Didn't I earnestly send to you to call you? why didn't you come to me? am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?

Bil`am said to Balak, Behold, I have come to you: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Bil`am went with Balak, and they came to Kiryat-Hutzot.

Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Bil`am, and to the princes who were with him.

It happened in the morning, that Balak took Bil`am, and brought him up into the high places of Ba`al; and he saw from there the utmost part of the people.

Bil`am said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams.

Balak did as Bil`am had spoken; and Balak and Bil`am offered on every altar a bull and a ram.

Bil`am said to Balak, Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go: perhaps the LORD will come to meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you. He went to a bare height.

God met Bil`am: and he said to him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

Balak said to Bil`am, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have blessed them altogether.

The LORD met Bil`am, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus shall you speak.

Balak said to Bil`am, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

But Bil`am answered Balak, Didn't I tell you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?

Balak said to Bil`am, Come now, I will take you to another place; peradventure it will please God that you may curse me them from there.

Balak took Bil`am to the top of Pe`or, that looks down on the desert.

Bil`am said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams.

Balak did as Bil`am had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.